Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-07-12
Gales aud Skstehts.
A TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

Dora Carmlcnael was an extremely
pretty girl, whom to see was to admire
and perhaps to love, in most mems opin-
ion. Women did not take precisely this
view of her merits; but then as we all
know, women are VIGOROUSLY jealous.
Still, even very pretty girl may be con-
sidered as abusing her privileges if she
engages herself to more than two men at
once. Now, this was precisely what Miss
| Carmichael had done, and was not little
| perplexed by the consequences of her
rashness Not only had she, unknown to
and in disobedience OF her people. kept on
her engagement with BERTHE Haselrig of
the artillery, but to please her parents,
and also her own ambition, she had con-
sented a month or two since to accept Mr..
Lorimer. son and heir to old Sir James
Lorimer. And now, to crown all, fort
night ago, at the Marsdens' ball, Lord
Liscarrol had proposed, and she had not
been able to refuse him.
Concerning Captain Haselrig she had
little anxiety, as he had gone to India on
being forbidden the heuse by Mr.. Car
michael, who considered the handsome,
impecunious soldier by no means an elig-
ible match for his only daughter and heir
ess. But it had taxed even her ingenuity
to keep Mr.. Lorimer and Lord Liscarrol
ignorant of each others claims on her.
Lorimer certainly did not suspect the ex
istence OF a rival; but Liscarrol had more
than once resented the airs of proprietor
ship assumed by the former, and had
pressed Miss Carmichael to allow him at
once to apply to her father. This was
horribly perplexing. Mr.. Carmichael
was a wealthy, self made man, whose
fortune had sprung. as he was only too
fond of boasting, from the traditional
tour-penny bit. He professed ultra radical
opinions. but in heart was as fond of
lord as most people, and Dora well knew
would have been delighted at her latest
conquest as she herself could have been.
She felt convinced that his word once
pledged, he would not let her throw over
| Charles Lorimer, even for such party as
Lord Liscarrol. So she told her lover a
doeful story of stern parents, an I'M
sympathetic sutor, and an oppressed
daughter divided between duty and dis
like to the match proposed.
But are YOU engaged to that cub Lori
mer P" asked Liscarro, imp&'iently.
$50, O no certainly not engaged; but
it is very possible might have bee. ne so
TO ease dear papa, had not net YOU"
This said with the sweetest timid' and
ba safnl look had the !ul! effect IN ended
"But now, Dora ?"
"ltel. DOW, must make the poor fell
low urd' r>tand il is impDssible-g him
his COZ ge. in fact. so decidedly. that even
self-sati fed as he Is, he can make -, mis-
take, and then coax papa as best can"
Still Lscarrol insisted
But dc Mt you see, Lord Liscarrol-
we'll, Arthur ,hen-that il yea 90 20 papa
directly have sent off MIR. Lorimer, he
will suspect what has occurred, and would
not hesitate to treat YOU in the same ray ?
For do what will | cannot help his con-
.idering me engaged to that horrid man"
We'll then will you give Lorimer his
congep Pr
Tomorrow morning. He is coming
about some botanical tickets, and | will
speak to him then"
Very well, dearest and may look in
to hear the result NAV not ?'
And so it was settled. Still, it must be
confessed the situation was a troublesome
one, and sitting in the library the next day.
Dora thought over her plans rather
anxiously.
Mrs. Carmichael was, or fancied her
self. an invalid, and rarely showed before
iunch. (and not always then. though ready
enough for her social duties" later in the
dav), so her daughter was at full liberty
to arrange matters as she pleased. Ac-
cordingly, she told the butler that if Mr..
Lorimer called. be was'at once to be shown
in to her in the library, and that if Lord
Liscarrol should call in the meantime he
was to be told she would soon be Olsen
gagged, and be requested to wait her in the
drawing room. So far so good.
But ring at the door-bell startled her
from her reverie, and she waited expect
ing to see Lorime- ushered in. Instead OF
that the visitor was ushered up stairs. apd
the butler announced Captain Haselrig"
The blow almost staggered her, but pull,
ing herself together she went into the
drawing room, and the next moment was
clasped in Hazelrig' arms. A few words
sufficed TO explain his presence. The death
of an old uncle. his godfather, had made
him master Of rather valuable property.
and on the strength OF this improvement
in his position the young man had once
rushed back from India. and, rs he tondly
hoped. successfully to plead his suit.
Whatever heart she possessed-it was lit
| tie enough-belonged to Hazelrig, and
she had felt genuine sorrow when her
father so entirely declined his piosals, for
a moment she wondered If after all Hazel
| rigs love might not be worth sacrifice
OF Lorimer she did not think for one
second. but she did remember Liscarrol,
and this dampened her ardor. Hazelrig
was handsome and fairly rich now, but so
was Lord Liscarrol, and if her love for
him was not so great as for Hazelrlg, she
adored his coronet. So the old story was
once more related, and by its means she
induced Captain Hazelrig to forego his
purpose of seeing her father until she her.
self should give him leave to speak and
at last. to her great relief, she sent him
off. if not satisfied. certainly more in love
than ever.
During her conversation with Captain
Hazelrig. Dora's sharp ears had caught
the sound of the door bell, so she was
| fully prepared to hear that MIR. Lorimer
was in the library. and went to him at
once. But what she did not know. and
in her hurry would not give the butler
time to tell her. was that lord Liscarrol
had also arrived, and was at that moment
in the morning room. Now Lord Lis
carroll was not particularly impatient
man, but he had ample time to get ex-
tremely tired of waiting, and having ex-